COP CRACKDOWN
Map reveals where drivers are most likely to be pulled over and breathalysed – does your area make the list?
Anyone refusing a breath test without a reasonable excuse can be arrested for 'refusing to provide a sample'
A MAP has revealed the areas where drivers are most likely to be pulled over and breathalysed.
The Cambridgeshire police force area is the UK’s drink driving capital, with 2.9 positive or refused breath tests per 1,000 of population in 2022.
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Gloucestershire was the next highest, with 1.8 per 1,000, and Dyfed-Powys came in third place with 1.6.
The police forces which conduct the fewest drink driving tests, per 1,000 population, are Lincolnshire, Suffolk and West Yorkshire.
While Dyfed-Powys, Cumbria and South Wales conduct the most tests, comparative to their population size.
According to the latest figures from 2022, analysed by Direct Line Motor Insurance, cops carried out 58 per cent fewer breath tests compared to 10 previously, 2012.
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However, over the same period, the number of positive or refused breath tests rose by 55 per cent.
In July 2022, more than one in five – 21 per cent – drivers who were breath tested, tested positive or refused to take the test.
While 551,375 breath tests were administered in 2012, just 11 per cent of drivers tested positive or refused to take a test.
This compares to 2022, when it hit 17 per cent.
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The number of breath tests conducted by police reduced by 58 per cent between 2012 and 2022, when under a quarter of a million drivers were stopped (229,218).
Anyone refusing a breath test without a reasonable excuse can be arrested for “refusing to provide a sample”.
How to start your car with a breathalyser
This can be punishable by up to six months’ imprisonment and a driving disqualification.
The drink drive limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland 4 is 35 micrograms of alcohol, while in Scotland it is 22 micrograms, per 100 millilitres of breath.
Those caught driving or attempting to drive above the legal limit, or refusing to provide breath, blood, or urine for analysis, could face six months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine or a driving ban for at least one year.
In 2022, the highest proportion of drink drivers were caught in the summer month of July, perhaps having been at summer BBQs or in pub gardens, with 21 per cent of the 18,774 breath tests taken producing positive or refused test.
By contrast, December saw more than double the number of tests administered by police, but a lower proportion of motorists 11 per cent testing positive or refusing to provide a sample.
Lorraine Price, Head of Motor Insurance and Direct Line said, “It is concerning to see a rising proportion of drivers testing positive for drink driving.
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“We’re on our continued mission to keep roads safe, raising awareness of the dangers of drink driving.
“Driving under the influence of alcohol doesn’t just endanger the driver themselves, it also puts their passengers and other road users at risk.
“Drivers need to remember that if they’re wanting to drink, they should take alternative transport home.”
A spokesperson for the Lancashire Police said: “Driving whilst impaired through drink or drugs is unacceptable, and our efforts to catch those responsible will continue.
"Not only does it pose the risk of causing a serious injury, or death, but there are a number of potentially devastating consequences to drink driving.
“Catching drink drivers and preventing any further harm they may cause to others, or themselves is, and will continue to be a priority for Lancashire Police.
"If you choose to drive impaired through drink or drugs, know that we will find out, we will catch you, and we will bring you to justice.”
Gloucestershire Constabulary T/Superintendent Al Barby, from the Specialist Capabilities Team, said: “Our officers work tirelessly to tackle those motorists who believe that they are safe to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. We run a number of campaigns at key times of the year to reinforce the message that it is unacceptable.
“It is disappointing when people think that they can put other road users at risk of harm, or even death, under the misguided assumption that they are above the law.
“We will continue to use all our powers to ensure that our roads are safe and to educate motorists to think twice before deciding to get behind the wheel while under the influence.”
A Northamptonshire Police spokesperson said: “We take preventing and detecting drink drivers very seriously – drink driving is one of the main contributors to collisions, and is one of the fatal five driving offences, alongside careless driving, not wearing a seat belt, excessive speed, and using a mobile phone whilst behind the wheel.
“Working alongside our road safety partners at the Northamptonshire Safer Roads Alliance, our focus continues to be reducing the number of people who are killed or seriously injured on our roads.
“All our officers carry out breath tests throughout the year and following the launch of the Force’s Roads Policing Team last May, we now have additional patrols policing the road network 24/7, 365 days a year, further increasing the chances of getting caught.”
Inspector Jack Stabler, of Cumbria Constabulary’s Roads Policing Unit, said: “Preventing drink and drug driving and catching those who commit these offences is a key priority for our roads policing unit.
“This force’s work to tackle this continues all-year-round and receives extra focus at times of the year when we know these offences may rise.
“Our officers work to get drink and drug drivers off our roads before they cause tragedy for themselves or other innocent people – and continue to target those who put lives at risk 365-days-a-year.”
Inspector Kevin Salter, from Durham Constabulary’s Roads and Armed policing unit said: “Getting behind the wheel with alcohol in your system is enough to kill someone, our message has always been the same: don’t drive under the influence.
“None of us want to have to delivery another death message to another family whose loved one has died in a collision which could have been avoided.
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“Those who continue to do so and ignore our relentless messages are not only risking killing themselves but other drivers and pedestrians too.
“Our message is always clear - please, don’t drink and drive, life is precious.”
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